Rec and Parks Commission Approves Draft Boardwalk Ordinance

Apparently, second time's the charm, at least for supporters of draft ordinance 42.15, which passed muster with the City's Recreation and Parks Commission on Wednesday morning, after stalling there two weeks ago.

Public safety was the key word during the meeting, where the LAPD Capt. Jon Peters and Sgt. Marc Reina appealed to the commission to approve the draft ordinance.

"Quite frankly, it's not safe at Venice Beach right now," Peters said. He went on to quote increased statistics in crime in the area since an injunction was put in place over the last boardwalk ordinance. Peters said the lack of enforcement along the boardwalk had created a "general sense of lawlessness."

The draft ordinance, which will now need to be approved by City Council, would regulate vending on Ocean Front Walk, prohibiting commercial vending and designating certain areas for artists and performers to set up.

Peters said that fights over spaces are common now and that homeless people on the boardwalk are being paid to hold spaces, which is one reason there have been .

Fairness to artists and businesses on the east side of Ocean Front Walk was another key issue presented to the commission during public comment. 

"When you don't do anything, free speech ends up getting damaged," said Jay Goodfader, who owns , pointing out that artists are being pushed out by commercial interests. He also noted that his businesses have to adhere to regulation. "I am strict about not going over the line," Goodfader said.

Public discussion over the draft ordinance has been going on for months, and many of the 16 people who made public comment stressed that the draft ordinance reflected the community's will.

"I truly feel that what we have before you today… is a workable framework," Councilman Bill Rosendahl told the commission, in his first appearance before them in the six years he has served in the City Council.

"This framework will provide a safe boardwalk," he said.

The commission approved the draft ordinance by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Jerome Stanley was the lone holdout, saying, "I am not persuaded by the public safety argument at all. I do not see the connection between the homeless and the vendors and crime."

The draft ordinance must still pass City Council and be signed into law by the mayor.

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